LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) – The controversial ‘Cajun Cannabis’ store will reopen within the next week once he consults with local law enforcement, according to the owner Travis DeYoung.
However, his lawyer tells News 10 he will not sell CBD lotions and oils and this time.

DeYoung spoke publicly Tuesday afternoon, for the first time since he was released from the Lafayette Parish Correctional Center Monday evening, after posting bond for the 17 drugs and weapons charges he currently faces.

He started the interview thanking everyone in the community for the love and support throughout the whole ordeal. DeYoung says he and his lawyers will be fighting the charges.

“We will be opening within the next week,” said DeYoung.

DeYoung was arrested last week:

– According the authorities, hisvehicle was stopped in the 100 block of Congress Street just before 11 p.m. Wednesday in reference to an “ongoing narcotics investigation.”
– During the search of the vehicle, deputies reportedly found 17 bottles of CBD Oil, 14 bottles of CBD gummies, 69 glass jars of CBD shatter, one box of CBD mints and one handgun.
– Investigators then moved on a search of DeYoung’s Johnston Street business, which opened on April, 20, 2019.
– There, narcotics agents said they found the following: one handgun, 37,974.1GG (gigagrams) of CBD, less than 1GG of marijuana, 1,863 capsules containing CBD/THC, 902.2GG of THC/CBD edibles, 155GG of THC/CBD vapes/Shatter, honey containing THC/CBD, mints containing THC/CBD and dog treats containing THC/CBD As a result.

“Contrary to what you’ve heard or read, there was absolutely no illegal products or marijuana being sold in the store,” said DeYoung.

DeYoung says he received his license to operate the business from Lafayette Consolidated Government, and his certificate of occupancy is still active.

“Again all transactions done in Cajun Cannabis were approved by city officials,” he said.

DeYoung claims he didn’t sell any products that contain THC.

In regards to the firearms near the CBD products, which are illegal in the state of Louisiana, DeYoung does not have a concealed carry permit.

“I believe in the second amendment. Those firearms were legally purchased and owned, and I believe I have the right to defend my family and my business,” said DeYoung.

He told News 10 he supports law enforcement, but isn’t sure why his store was targeted, as he claims he hasn’t harmed anyone.

“I believe they (Sheriff’s Office) think that they were doing what was right.
Cajun Cannabis started because there was no transparent confident marketplace in Lafayette for people to get their CBD Oil,” said DeYoung.

He says he has confidence both the parish and state will eventually approve these ‘healing products.’

“We will continue to be an icon for advocacy and move forward with this movement,” said DeYoung.

The Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office released a statement this afternoon about the De Young investigation:

“The Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office understands the importance of protecting the well-being of everyone in Lafayette Parish, and will continue to work daily to preserve your safety.

From start to finish, the sheriff’s office conducted a thorough and thoughtful investigation. This case directly followed the path laid out by Louisiana state law, and the obligations of our law enforcement agency.

Moving forward, the Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office will continue to assist our partners at the District Attorney’s Office and in the courts with this case, as we do with every investigation, as they fulfill their legal responsibilities.”

DeYoung’s attorney Michael Domingue, says he and his client have ‘third party professional lab reports’ proving the quality of his product sold inside the store, did not contain marijuana or THC.

As the legal debate over the manufacturing and sale of cannabis by-products continues, this is perhaps a story that’s not going away anytime soon.

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